Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid



A l m 193.54 M.- E. BAENAESH Y 2,015,249

APPARATUS FORMEASURING THE FLOW OF A FLUID Filed may 24, 19:5 7 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'I'I'IIIIIII'IIIII'II'I'IIII'IIIIIII'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'IIIIIIIIIII'IIIIA 11/ 111m [In lllli g I Ill 24 J8 I A Patented Sept. 24, 1935 U ITED STATES srranaros Foa or A 13 Claims. The invention relates generally to an a'ppara-- tus for measuring the flow oi fluids andparticularly the flow of gases.

The general object oi the invention is to provide a fundamental device for measuring the flow 01 a fluid, which-is of high precision, and has component parts the accuracy of which is readily provable.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of this type by which the variations in the physical. properties of the fluid to be measured are accurately compensated for by balancing.

A further object is to provide'an apparatus which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view oi. a modifled form of the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view .0! the device shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sections taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

.' The invention comprises in general a conduit for the fluid to be measured and means for withdrawing a part of said fluid. A heat change is then effected in the main mass of fluid and saidpart in a predetermined ratio, and the physical properties of the main mass and said part are all balanced, so that the-flow oi the main mass may be readily determined by. the flow of said part. The term fluid as employed herein is used in a broad sensetoinclude either a gas or liquid. a

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus diagrammatically shown in Fig. l, the fluid to be measured flows in the direction of the arrows through a main conduit Hi. In measuring the flow, a part of the main mass of the fluid is withdrawn at H by means of an auxiliary con- To measure the main flow, I provide means for eflecting a thermal change both in the main mass of fluid and in the part flowing through the auxiliary conduit II, the change in one l'iav- ASURING FLOW FLUID Matthew E. Benesh, Cicero, 111.; dedicated to the People the United States of America Application May 24, 1933, Serial No. 672,638

ing a. predetermined relation to the change in the other. Preferably, the thermal change consists of an addition of heat to the main mass" and to the part, the respective quantities of heat added having the predeterminedratio. To this 5 end, a closed circuit for a heat conveying medium such as a liquid is provided, which comprises a pump it and a heat exchanger by which heat may be imparted to the liquid.

The heat conveying circuit i'sdivided into two parallel portions, one extending to the auxiliary conduit i2 and the other to, the main conduit l0, and theflow of liquid to the respective por-. tions is controlled by a proportioning device it so that ratio between the flows in the respective portions is known. Thus, heat is conveyed to the main mass of fluid and'the part flowing in the auxiliary conduit in a predetermined ratio.

interposed in one branch 01 the heat convey- 'ing circuit and located within the main conduit it! is a heat exchanger, here shown in the'form' of a coil II, by which the heat in the liquid is transierred to the main mass of fluid. A similar coil It in the other branch of the heat conveying circuit is placed in the auxiliary conduit i2. The returns from the coils ll and I8 are both connected to the pump l4, and are pro- 'v ided with thermometers l9 and 20 whereby the relative temperatures of the liquidin the respective returns may be determined. Thermometers 2| and 22 are also provided .in the main and auxiliary conduits l0 and I2 by which the respective temperatures of the fluids therein,

' after being heated by the coils I1 and it, may

be determined. The incoming temperature oi the I main mass of fluid may be indicated by a thermometer 21. I

Means for measuring theflow oi fluid is interposed in the auxiliary conduit l2 and preierably comprises a positive-displacement meter 23 oi: the piston type. A valve 24 is also. provided ior"regulating the flow through the auxiliary conduit 12..

To produce the flow through the auxiliary conduit l2, a pressure difl'erence in the main conduit i0 between the points II and I3 is established as by an adjustable dam 28 in the main conduit between the thermometer 2t and point il, which oflersfa resistance to the flow in excess of the balanced resistances oflered by' the heat exchangers, mixers, thermometers, and energy change balancers in both' conduits ill and i2."

' In determining the flow oi the fluid b'y'means ofthis apparatus, the heat addedto the main mass of fluid may be expressed, as follows:

- Heat added=M21X H2'l-2iXT2 -n whereMn=the main mass of fluid flowing over thermometer 2!, per unit time, i.e. through the SH1t-n=the specific heat of the heating liquid between the-temperature of the liquid leaving the proportioning device It and the temperature indicated by the thermometer I! a and Tm-1n=the temperature drop in the heating liquid as indicated by the temperature of the liquid leaving 'the proportioning device It and the temperature indicated by the thermometer II. Equating these expressions for heat added and I 10st,

A similar equation may be set up for the conditions existing in the auxiliary conduit. Thus,

(2) HBXsH2i-22XT22-21;M1XSHHMXTilt-:20

where Ha=the mass flowing through the 1 auxiliary conduit l2, unit time, determinable by meter 23.

SHn-n=the mean specific heat of the fluid in the auxiliary conduit between the temperatures indicated by the thermometers 22 and 21 Ta-rr=thetemperature rise of the fluid in the auxiliary conduit as indicated by the thermometers 22 and 21 v M1s=themass of the heating liquid passing through the coil l8 per unit time SHm-:o=as above, the specific heat ofthe heating llquidbetween the temperature of-the liquid leaving the proportioning device It and thetemperature indicated by'the thermometer T1620=the temperature drop in the heating liquid as indicated by the thermometer 20 and the temperature of the liquid leaving the proportioning device I6.

Dividing Equation (1) by Equation (2), the following equhtion is obtained:

The valve 24 controls the flow of fluid through the auxiliaryconduit l2, and ii the various parts are properly designed this flow may be adjusted so that the temperatures of-the main mass and auxiliary mass, as indicated by the thermometers 2| and 22, are equalized. Such equalization also equalizes the temperatures of the returning portions of the heating liquid, as indicated by thermometers is and 20, when'the'coils l1 and II are constructed with sufllcient surface to 'bring' the fluids in the conduits up to substan-.

tially the same temperature as that of theheat- 'is the ratio of the masses of the two portions of ing liquid when it leaves the conduits, i.'e. the temperatures indicated by thermometers l9 and 20. When these temperatures as indicated by thermometers i9, 20, 2|, and 22 are equalized.

' the following conditions exist: 5

Y T21 -21=Tz2-:1 and Tie-19=T1c-ao. And, since the fluids in the main conduit ll and in the auxiliary conduit l2 are the same and undergo the same temperature change, 1

SH21-21=SHm-::

Also the heating fluids in coils I1 and II are, the same and undergo the same temperature change, therefore u;

Substituting the various equalities in Equation (3) and simplifying, it becomes The total flow of fluid M2: passing thermometer 21 is obviously calm! to the sum of Mn and Therefore, M21=M:1M:a Substituting this value of M21 in the above equation and simplifying we get,

11 ha The ratio 1 the heating liquid flowing per unit time 'as'de-' termined by the proportioning device It. Hence, the ratio is a constant for any. setting oi the proportioning device and likewise 1 plusthis constant ratio is a constant and is predetermined. Also, Mza may be determined by the meter 23, so that the volume of the mass flowing by thermometer 21 in [the main conduit ll may be obtained by multiplying the reading of the meter 23 by a constant determined by the setting of the proportioning device l6.

Also, from Equation, (4) it will be noted that, it the auxiliary mass Mn is held constant, the totai mass may be determined by the ratio of the 50 proportioning device It. Hence, with a'constant rate of flow through the auxiliary conduit the proportioning device "may be varied to equalize the temperatures 2i and 22.

These considerations are based on the premise that the heat and all other energy transfers'in the main and auxiliary conduits other than those stated are either negligible quantities whose magnitude can be determined or occur in such a manner that they are counter-balanced and so do not 50 affect the result.

The determination of the total flow may be converted into terms whichapply when the fluid is at a predetermined constant temperature and absolute pressure, if desired. These terms may be in volume or mass units, or by" determining the heat of combustion developed by a definite and known portion of the total flow, the total now ,may be expressed in terms-of heat units as well 10 heating liquid fall to substantially the same point as the temperatures of the heated fluid. However, the coils l1 and llmay be shortened so that the temperatures of the heating fluid do not fall to the temperatures to which the fluid in the main and auxiliary conduits rises. Where the coils are so shortened, the valve 24 controls the flow in the auxilary conduit l2 to equalize thetemperatures of the main and auxiliary masses as indicated by the thermometers 2| and 22.

= The temperatures of the returning portions of the heating liquid as indicated by the thermometers l9 and may not be equal, unless suitable provision is made, because of 'unproportional heat transfer by the coils I! and |3, even though the temperatures of the main and auxiliary masses of fluid are equalized.-

From Equation (3), it will be noted, that the temperature drops in the respective portions of the heating liquid are preferably equalized so that their effects upon the determination of the main mass may be balanced. To this end, a bypass controlled by a valve 23 is placed across the coil I1, so that the temperature indicated at v to heat said main mass, instead i9 may be controlled and equalized with the temperature indicated at 23.

It will be noted that the. accuracy of this apparatus depends upon the accuracy of the meter 23, the accuracy of the proportioning' device Hi, the accuracy of the various thermometers, and

,the design being such that potential, velocity,

grammatically in Fig. 2 is similar in most respects to that shown in Fig. 1. It difiers, however, by using a part of the main mass of fluid of using another fluid.

As shown herein, the modified form comprises a main conduit 30 through which the main mass of fluid to be measured flows in the direction of the arrows. Connected to the main conduit 39 is an auxiliary conduit 3| withdrawing a part of the main mass at 32 and returning it to the main conduit at 33. To produce the flow through the auxiliary conduit 3|, a pressure difference in the main conduit 30 between the points 32 and 33 is established as by an adjustable dam 48 in the main conduit, which ofiers a resistance to the flow therein. The flow through the auxiliary conduit 3| may be measured by a meter 34, preferably of the positive displacement type, and is controlled by a valve 35. a

To eifect a thermal change in the main mass of fluid, the auxiliary mass flowing through the'conduit 3| is heated by a heat exchanger 36. The latter preferably is positioned to heat the auxiliary mass just before it returns to the main mass with which it is mixed to raise the temperature of the main mass.

correspondingly, the auxiliary mass is heated in a similar manner and to a similar extent before it is used as a heating medium for the main mass. To this end, a by-pass 31 is connected at one end to the auxiliary conduit 3| beyond the meter 34, as at 33, and at the other end to the auxiliary conduit 3|, as at 39, ahead of the heat exchanger 33. An adjustable dam 29 is placed in auxiliary conduit 3| beyond connection 38 and ahead of thermometer 45 to cause the fluid to flow through by-pass 31. Included in the by-pass 31 is a'meter 40 of the same type as the meter 34 and mechanically connected thereto as by a 1k 4| so that the ratio between the fluid passed by the meter. 34 and that passed by the meter 40 -remains constant and is known. The by-pass then extends through the heat exchanger 36 wherein the fluid is heated to the same temperature to which the fluid in the auxiliary conduit 3| is later heated.

Thermometers 42 and Y43 are placed in the main conduit 30 ahead of and beyond thepoint 33, where the auxiliary mass returns to the main mass, to measure the temperatures of the main mass before and after being heated by the.

auxiliary mass. A thermometer 44 is also placed in the auxiliary conduit 3| adjacent the return point 33 to measure the temperature to which .the' auxiliary mass is heated by the heat ex-' changer 36. correspondingly, thermometers 45 and 46 are placed inv the auxiliary conduit; 3|

- ahead of and beyond the point 39 where the heated by-passed fluid returns to the auxiliary conduit, and a thermometer 41 is placed in the bypass 31 adjacent the return point 39 to measure the temperature to which the by-passed fluid is heated by the heat exchanger 36;

In the method of measuring the flow by means of this form of the apparatus, the heat added to the main mass is equal to the heat lost by the auxiliary mass when the two masses are mixed. This may be expressed by the following equation:

(5) M42. (T43T42) SH4z-4a= M34 (Tu-T43) SH44-43 ter 42 per unit time.

Ma4=the auxiliary mass as indicated by the meter 34, per unit time.

T42, T43 and T44 are temperatures shown by the thermometers 42, 43 and 44, v

SH4z-4a=the mean specific heat of the main mass between the temperatures indicated by the thermometers 42 and 43, and

SH44-4:- the mean specific heat of the auxiliary mass between the temperatures indicated by v the thermometers 44 and 43.

Also, the heat added to the auxiliary mass is equal to the heat lost by the mass passing through the by-pass 31. The following equation expresses this relation:

where M45 is the mass passing thermometer 45 where M4z=the main mass, passing thermomeper unit time and M40 is the mass as indicated'by.

the meter 40, per unit time.

T45, T48 and T41 are the temperatures indicated by the correspondingly numbered thermometers, and

SH45-46 and SH41-46 the mean speciflc heats over the corresponding temperature ranges.

Dividing Equation (5) by Equation ,(6) the following result is obtained: a

But, T42 equals-T45, since the fluid in the auxiliary conduit 3| is withdrawn from that in the main conduit 30, and neither has been changed in temperature.

Also, T44 equalsTu, since the fluids in the bypass 31 and in the auxiliary conduit 3| have both been heated, at the pointswhere these temperatures are taken, to the same temperature by the heat exchanger 36.

By operating the valve 35 to regulate the flow through the auxiliary conduit M, Tu may be made to equal T46. Because of these equalities in the various temperatures, and sincethe fluids in the main conduit 30, the auxiliary conduit 3| and the by-pass 31 are the same, SHn-n equals SH45-4s, and SH44-43 equals SHi'l-AB.

Substituting the various equalities in Equation (7) and simplifying, it becomes where M45 and M43 are ineach case the mass of fluid flowing past the thermometers 45 and 43 respectively, per unittime.

' Substituting the above values of M45 and M42 in Equation (8) and simplifying it becomes:

But, as mentioned above, the meters 34 and 40 are mechanically connected so that the ratio of the flow through the respective meters remains constant and is known:

Hence, we may write %=K= the above-mentioned ratio.

Substituting this relation in Equation (9) we have,

Thus, the than now through the main conduit 30 passing thermometer 43 may be readily determined from the readings of either meter 34 or meter 40.

In this modified form of the apparatus, the accuracy of the determination depends similarly proving and capable of high precision.

In the preferred embodiment (see Fig. 3') of the form of the invention shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, the main conduit "Us provided with flange couplings 50 at its respective ends so that it may be placedin a line such as a gas main. The gas flows through the main conduit in the direction indicated by the arrows. At the inlet end, a heat exchanger II is placed in' the stream of gas. Beyondthe heat exchanger Si, is a means for mixing the gas so that: will have a uniform temperature. In the present instance, the mixing means comprises a plurality of perforated conical members 52 constructed to imas. As shown in Fig.4, each member 52 is providd with a plurality of apertures 68 some of which are provided with lips 59 to 'direct the gas circumferentially, while other of the apertures do not have such lips and hence direct the gas sub- 5 .stantially. radially across the circumferential flow. Thus, a spiral-and highly turbulent motion 'is imparted to the gas.

The auxiliary conduit I2 is preferably positi'oned centrally of the main conduit III with its inlet end i I facing the stream of gas. The heating-coils I1 and 18 are mounted in concentric re- 20 lation respectively about and within the inlet end of the auxiliary conduit II at the same longitudinal point.

Beyond the heating coil IT, .a plurality of perforated conical members 55, similar to the coni- 35 cal members 52, are placed to thoroughly mix the I gas after passing over the coils ll so that the gas will havea uniform temperature which is measured by the thermometer 2 I. A heat exchanger 55 may be placed at the exit end of the main con- 30 duit l0 and connected with coils 51 embedded in the insulation 53 and a fluid is circulated to reduce to any desired degree any transfer of heat to or from the gas during its travel from heating coil I! to thermometer 2|.

Adjacent the outlet end of the main conduit. the auxiliary conduit I2 is bent at a right angle and extended through the wall of the main conduit to the meter 23 and valve 24 and return connection l3 which are npt shown in Fig. 3. Neither is the adjustable dam 28 shown in Fig. 3.

The pump l4, heat eitchanger I5, and proportioning device i8 are placed outside of the main conduit and are not shown in Fig. 3. Nor is the by-pass 26 shown in Fig. 3, but it is preferably placed inside of the main conduit. 45

From the above description, it will be apparent that 1. have provided an apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid, capable of attaining a high degree of precision. The various parts of the apparatus are capable of measuring the quantities orproperties of the fluid for which they are designed with great accuracy and may readily be checked. Thus, the various positive-displacement meters measure the volumes of fluid with great accuracy, the thermometers may be accurate, and, in the case of the-form shown in Fig. 1, the proportioning device is accurate. The quantities measured by these devices are the only quantities necessary for the determination of the w flow to be measured. The same fluids are used for similar purposes in the main and auxiliary circuits and undergov the same temperature changes, so that all other-properties of the fluids such as specific heat and energy loss do not affect the final determination, since these other properties are the same or proportional in the Y mass-of fluid comprising, in combination, means for withdrawing a part of said main mass, means for efl'ecting a heat change'in said main mass and said part in a predetermined ratio, means for controlling the flow of said part toequalize 76' mass, means for supplying a quantity of heat to said part, means for regulating the ratio between said quantities to a determinable value,

means for controlling. the flow of said part to equalize the temperature change of said main mass and said part, and means for measuring the flow of said part.

3. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a main mass of fluid comprising, in combination, means for withdrawing a part of said main mass, a

source of heat, fluid means for transferring said.

heat to said main mass and said part in a predetermined ratio, means for controlling the flow of said part to equalize the temperature change of said main mass and said part, and means for measuring the flow of said part.

4. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a main mass of fluid comprising, in combination, means -for temporarily withdrawing'a part of said main mass, means for changing the temperatures of said main mass and said part equally, means for determining the proportion of quantitiesnof heat to effect said temperature changes, and means for measuring the flow of said part.

5. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a main mass of fluid comprising, in combination, a conduit for said main mass, an auxiliary conduit connected to said conduit for withdrawing a part of said main mass, means for supplying heat to the main mass and to said part to raise the temperatures thereof equally, means for regulating and determining the ratio between the heat supplied to the main mass and said part, and means for measuring the flow in said auxiliary circuit.

6. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a main mass of fluid comprising, in combination, a conduit for said main mass, means connected to said conduit for withdrawing a part of said main mass, means for adding heat to said main mass and said part, a device for controlling and determining the proportion of heat added to said main mass and said part, a device for controlling the flow of said part, one of said devices being adjustable to equalize the temperature change in said main mass and said part, and means for measuring the flow of said part.

7. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an

auxiliary circuit for withdrawing a part of the fluid from the main circuit, a divided circuit for a fluid having divisions extending respectively to said main circuit andto said auxiliary circuit to supply heat thereto, means for heating the fluid in the divided circuit, means for proportioning to a determinable value the flow in the divisions of said divided circuit, a valve in said auxiliary circuit to regulate the flow therethrough to equalize the temperature rise in the fluid in the main and auxiliary circuits, and a meter for measuring the flow through said auxiliary circuit.

8. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an auxiliary circuit for withdrawing a part of the fluid from the main circuit, means for supplying heat to the fluid in the main circuit and to said part comprising a divided circuit having a pair of coils mounted respectively in the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit, means for passing a heated fluid through said coils, and means for proportioning the amount of said heated fluid in the respective coils, avalve in said auxiliary cir- 5 cuit to regulate the flow therethrough to equalize auxiliary circuits, and a, meter for measuring the flow through said auxiliary circuit.-

9. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an m auxiliary circuit for withdrawing a part of the fluid from the main circuit, means for supplying heat to the fluid-in the main circuit and to said part comprising a pair of coils mounted respectively in the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit and means for supplying a heated fluid to said coils in a predetermined proportion, a valve for regulating the flow in said auxiliary circuit to equalize the temperature change in the fluid in said main circuit and in said part, and a meter 20.

for measuring the flow through said auxiliary circuit.

l0. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an

auxiliary circuit for withdrawing a part of the fluid from the main circuit, means for supplying heat to the fluid in the main circuit and to said part comprising a pair of coils respectively mounted in the main circuit and in the auxiliary circuit, means for supplying a heated fluid to said coils, and means for proportioning in a predetermined ratio the flow of said heated fluid between the respective coils, each of said coils being constructed to transfer suflicient heat from the heated fluid to substantially equalize the temperature thereof and of the surrounding fluid, means for controlling the flowin the auxiliary circuit to equalize the temperature change therein and in the main circuit, and means for measuring the flow in said auxiliary circuit. I I 11. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an auxiliary circuit for withdrawing a part of the fluid'from the main circuit, a circuit for supplying heat to the fluid in the main circuit and in said auxiliary circuit comprising means for supplying a heated fluid, a pair of coils connected with said means to receive the heated fluid therefrom and to return the fluid thereto, said coils being mounted respectively in said main circuit and said auxiliary circuit, means for proportioning the flow between said coils in a predetermined ratio, and a valve-controlled by-pass across the coil in the main circuit to control the temperature of the fluid returning to said means whereby the temperatures of the fluid returning from the respective coils may be equalized, and a meter for measuring the flow of said part.

12. Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an auxiliary circuit for withdrawing a part of the fluid from the main circuit and returning said part to the main circuit, said auxiliary circuit ineluding -a meter for-measuring the flow in said auxiliary circuit and means for heating the fluid in said auxiliary circuit before returning to the main circuit, and a by-pass connected to said auxiliary circuit to withdraw fluid therefrom after it has passed through said meter and to return it thereto ahead of said heating means, said by-pass including a meter for measuring the flow therethrough and passing through said heating means whereby the fluid in said by-pass will be heated to the same temperature as the m fluidin saida'uxiliary circuit, said meters being mechanically connected to pass proportional quantitiesofffluid; and a valve for controlling the flow fluid through said auxiliary circuit to equalize-thetemperature change in the fluid in the auxiliary and main circuits.

13. Aiiparatustor' measuring the flow of fluid comprising, in combination, a main circuit, an auxiliary circuit for a part of the fluid from the main circuit leading from and returning to the main circuit, a meter for measuring the flow in said auxiliary circuit, means for heating the fluid in saidauxiliary circuit before returning to the main circuit to heat the fluid in the main circuit,

means for lay-passing a part of the fluid in said auxiliary circuit in'a predetermined ratio thereto, means for heating the last-mentioned part before returning it to the auxiliary circuit'to heat the fluid in the auxiliary circuit, and avalve for controlling the flow through the auxiliary circuit to equalize the temperature change therein effected change in the main circuit.

' MATTHEW E. BENES H.-

by said by-passed fluid and the temperature 10 crnnncm: or connection. Patent lid 2,015,249. f Sept ember 24.1935.

It is hereby'certitied that error appears iii the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction es follows: Page 5 second column, line 6, claim-8, 'af terlfequalize" insert the 'words the temperature rise in the fluid in the main 'and; and that the said Letters Patent should-be read withthis correction therein that the sa'me may conform to: the record of thecase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of November, A; D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Petertts, 

